Day 3 demonetisation: Endless wait for currency notes continues in banks

New Delhi: The endless wait of millions of countrymen and women of all age to get valid currency notes in front of banks and ATMs continued across the country as long queues were seen with people armed with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Even as the patience seems to be running out among a large section of those standing up in meandering queues, officials in number of banks said it would require at least 7-8 days to bring normalcy in banks. In East Delhi and Central Delhi - not far off from Parliament - people including elderly and women in large numbers were seen standing in queue to get the valid currency notes needed to meet their daily expenses.

"I want a few hundred rupee notes. Otherwise, I am unable to do marketing of petty but essential household items like salt, spices, shampoo etc," said Anita Pradhan in a East Delhi market. "I am standing in the queue since 9 am and will probably will have to wait for two more hours," said Jeetendra Pun, a government servant. In Central Delhi, people standing in front of banks complained that adding to the misery most ATMs were non-functional. "The government should have made all necessary arrangements. Why should ATMs run short of currency notes. In many ATMs, cash is exhausted in just few hours. People are slowly getting frustrated," lamented Abdul Qadir, a trader. However, Qadir and others lauded government's initiatives to fight the black money and fake currency menace. "The intent and objective is however good," he said. In many banks, top managers are anxious about security measures.

"There is already some rounds of heated exchanges of words between customers and my overworked bank personnel. The fear of crowd becoming unruly is certainly an issue," said a bank official in Mayur Vihar area. People are also getting apprehensive of rumours and loose talks as rumor mongering about salt shortage had hit Uttar Praesh and parts of Delhi last night. However, the government clarified in a late night statement that there is an adequate supply of salt in the country. In Noida area in UP and parts of Delhi, a large number of shopkeepers downed their shutters following rumors of raids as also the business transaction has been hit badly.

The central government last night extended use of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for paying household utility bills, fuel, taxes and fees as well as purchases from co-operative stores by another 72 hours till November 14. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited a SBI branch in New Delhi yesterday to exchange old currency notes. Mr Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not understand the problems people were facing due to the decision of the government. (UNI)